Ref: 16/2007

Date: 25 March  2007

Second Training Course Organized by PCHR and the Palestinian Bar Association

The second training course organized by PCHR and the Palestinian Bar Association continued for the second day on Sunday, 25 March 2007. The course covers 18 training hours “International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law, and Upholding Justice” for 29 young lawyers from the Gaza Strip. It is held from 24-29 March 2007 in the Bar Association Gaza headquarters.

Adel Abu Jahal opened the training course by welcoming PCHR for its distinguished role in disseminating the culture of human rights and the rule of law among lawyers, especially young lawyers. In addition, he commended the Center’s role in exposing Israeli human rights violations, and its legal action against Israeli suspected war criminals. He also pointed to the strong relationship between the Bar Association and PCHR. Finally, he stressed that training courses for young lawyers will continue, wishing them success.

Raji Sourani started his statement by talking about the history of the Bar Association and its excellent role on the professional and national fronts, and the Bar’s refusal to be a legal cover for Israeli crimes. He cited the example of the Bar Association strike in 1987, and lawyers’ refusal to work in Israeli courts at the time. Sourani also pointed to the strong and historic relationship between the PCHR and the Bar Association. He pointed that these courses are an introduction to young lawyers on human rights issues, calling upon them to get involved in human rights advocacy. Sourani ended his words by inviting the attendance to PCHR, especially its library which is rich in materials about law and human rights.

Bassam El-Aqra stated that the training course covers a variety of human rights topics, including international human rights instruments: Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Covenant on Economic, social, and cultural rights; Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Second Protocol Additional to the Convention against the Death Penalty; International Criminal Court; and the Fourth Geneva Convention and its applicability in the OPT. In addition, the course covers some basic UN principles such as the role of public attorneys, independence of the judiciary, role of lawyers in furthering human rights, international legislation, and prosecuting war criminals.

The training is conducted by a team of experts from within and outside PCHR. The Center’s trainers are Raji Sourani, Khalil Shahin, Hamdi Shaqoura, and Bassam El-Aqra. From outside the Center, the trainers are Adel Abu Jahal, Abdel Rahman Abu El-Naser, and Muneer El-Oqbi.

It is noted that the first training course organized by PCHR and the Bar Association was completed on Thursday, 22 March 2007, with the participation of 36 young lawyers. A joint closing ceremony for the two courses will be held on Thursday, 29 March 2007.